An 85-year-old man was killed and 10 others were injured in a Bronx fire the night of June 27. According to a report in the New York Post, the two-alarm fire broke out in a first-floor apartment at 65 Jesup Place in Mt. Eden. The victim was rushed to a local hospital, but succumbed to his injuries, police said. Firefighters had to physically move a compact car that was in their truck’s way near the fire hydrant, officials said. An unidentified man was rushed to the hospital in critical condition. A man and a woman were also transported to area hospitals, but are said to be in stable condition. Three firefighters also received treatment at local hospitals.
One resident said he was in his apartment and smelled the smoke and heard people panicking. He told the Post that he smelled smoke coming through the pipes. Neighbors were panicking and urged people to get out of the building. It is not clear if the building had smoke alarms and whether occupants received any warnings. Fire marshals are looking into the cause of this fire. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of the deceased victims and all those who were injured in the fire or affected by it.
Why Smoke Alarms Are Important
Smoke alarms are a critical safety device in every home and building. They serve as the first line of defense against fires, providing early warning that can save lives and reduce property damage. When a fire starts, smoke spreads quickly, often faster than flames. A working smoke alarm detects the presence of smoke and sounds an alert, giving occupants crucial extra seconds to evacuate safely.
Statistics from the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) show that households without working smoke alarms face a much higher risk of fatalities in a fire. In fact, about three out of five home fire deaths occur in properties with no smoke alarms or alarms that failed to operate.
Smoke alarms are especially vital during nighttime hours when people are sleeping and may not notice a fire until it is too late. Modern smoke alarms are designed to detect both flaming and smoldering fires, improving overall protection.
Proper maintenance is essential. Alarms should be tested monthly, batteries replaced at least once a year and the devices themselves replaced every 10 years. Simply installing and maintaining smoke alarms significantly increases the chances of surviving a residential fire and protecting the home’s occupants.
Responsibilities of Property Owners
Property owners and property managers must install and maintain fire alarms, smoke detectors, fire extinguishers and sprinkler systems as required by local fire codes. Regular inspections and testing ensure that these devices function properly. Property owners must follow fire safety regulations including using fire-resistant materials, maintaining clear emergency exits and ensuring proper electrical wiring to prevent fire hazards.
Owners should address potential fire risks, such as faulty appliances, gas leaks, overloaded circuits or improperly stored flammable materials. They must also ensure rental properties are safe, conduct regular inspections and respond promptly to fire hazard complaints. If a property owner or manager fails to uphold fire safety responsibilities and negligence leads to a fire, they may be held liable for damages.
Contacting an Experienced Lawyer
Whether you have been living as a tenant at a private apartment complex or in a public housing unit (NYCHA) (the Projects), please remember that you have legal rights. If you or a loved one has been injured as a result of dangerous conditions, the experienced New York personal injury attorneys with the Law Offices of Kenneth A. Wilhelm can help you better understand your legal rights and options and also fight hard to recover just compensation for you. For over 53 years, our skilled attorneys have established a proven track record of assisting injured victims. One of our clients — a hot water burn victim — secured $750,000 in damages from the property owner and manager.
Our firm also obtained a $985,000 settlement out of a $1 million insurance policy for two people who suffered smoke inhalation injuries because the homeowner did not have smoke detectors installed and the $15,000 that was left on the insurance policy was for a person that we did not represent. Another of our clients recovered $2,500,000 due to a faulty space heater. Also, one of our clients obtained a verdict for $43,940,000 and another of our clients got a verdict for $23,500,000, both in medical malpractice cases.
Please contact us TOLL FREE 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 1-800-WORK-4-YOU (1-800-967-5496). WE CAN EVEN COME TO YOU. There is no attorneys’ fee unless we recover money for you. We can also help with personal injury, lead poisoning and medical malpractice cases including, brachial plexus palsy (Erb’s palsy) and cerebral palsy cases in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, or Florida. If you have been seriously injured in any of the 50 U.S. states, please call us and we will try to help you with your case.
Other TOLL FREE phone numbers for us are:
1-800-RADIO-LAW, 1-888-WYPADEK, OR 1-800-LAS-LEYES
Please visit us at: www.WORK4YOULAW.com
Source: https://nypost.com/2025/06/28/us-news/blaze-breaks-out-in-bronx-building-killing-man-85/